Chapter 12

~Charlotte

I hesitated, not sure what to say. I looked around, wondering if Jasmine was coming back soon. But she was nowhere to be seen.

The man was still standing there, his eyes fixed on me. Finally, I said, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not?" he asked, his smile turning into a smirk.

"I'm just offering to buy you a drink. What's the harm in that?"

I felt myself starting to panic, and I could feel my heart beating fast.

I tried to think of an excuse, but my mind was blank.

"I'm waiting for someone," I blurted out, my voice trembling. "My friend should be back soon."

The man's smirk faded, and he gave me a puzzled look.

"You sure about that?" he asked, sounding skeptical. "You looked pretty alone when I saw you."

I shifted in my seat, wishing that I could disappear. "I'm sure," I said, my voice firm.

"She'll be back any minute."

I hoped that my lie would convince him to leave me alone. But to my dismay, he just stood there, looking at me expectantly.

Then my phone ra